Apparatus for flushing water-closets.



R. A. BROOKS. APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER CLOSETS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. 19H.

1,265,019 Patented May 7,1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET I- R. A. BROOKS. APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER CLOSETS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 19H.

Patented May 7,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EEEE U22 1/ e22 tor" Wit/a 6188" a I I ROBERT A. BROOK-S, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR FLUSI-IING WATER -CLOSETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7', 1918.

Application filed .Tune 29, 1917. Serial No. 177,818.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT A. Bnoons, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Apparatus for Flushing Whiter-Closets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for flushing a series or battery of Water closets, and is particularly applicable to situations in which the pressure of water in the service pipe is relatively high. One object of my invention is to so organize and coordinate the parts of the apparatus as to entirely dispense with individual tanks in the different closets for measuring. a charge of water which is emptied to accomplish a flush, the water, for this purpose being supplied by a direct flow through a supply valve in the master tank and distributed as needed to the various flushing devices. Another object is to provide a cheap, eiiicient and durable flushing device operating through siphonic action and eliminating all accurately fitted valves in the entire system excepting a single ball or float valve in a master tank, and in fact eliminating the necessity for accurate fitting of this valve also, since even in case of considerable leakage past the valve the surplus water will escape through the closets without any flushing operation taking place. An overflow pipe in the master tank is for this reason not required. Inasmuch as there are no accurately fitted parts, valves, washers, packed stems, etc., in my system, practically no repairs are needed, and the system once installed will remain in perfect working order with a minimum of attention, and under conditions, such as a highly mineralized or dirty water supply, where ordinary systems would need frequent repairs. With the foregoing and incidental objects and advantages in view I have devised the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings and in which my invention is embodied, the essential ele mentsthereof being more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the master tank and connected supply pipe and flushing device of one of the closets of the system; Fig. 2 is -a front elevation showing somewhat diagrammatically the arrangement of the master tank and individual flushing devices in several adjacent closets; Fig. 3 is a fragmental vertical section showing a modified form of the parts by which the siphonic flushing action is initiated; and Fig. i, a vertical section of a different form of flush; ing device.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures of the drawing.

The master tank 1 of a battery of water closets A, B, C, 1), etc., to which my invention is applied is supported in any convenient or suitable manner at the height at which overhead tanks having siphon inshing valves are usually arranged, say about seven feet from the floor. Water from the service main 2 is admitted through a ballcock valve 3 of ordinary construction, but which should be of large capacity, controlled by a float 4 at the end of a lever 5 operatively connected with the valve. A supply pipe 6 of large capacity leads from the lower part of the master tank horizontally through or adjacent the rear of the closets, and is connected with a flushing device individual to each closet.

In the present instance the flushing devices are each supported by a T-union 7 interposed in the line of the supply pipe 6, and the operative parts of each device are inclosed in a cylindrical shell 8 provided at its lower end with a threaded neck engaging the stem of the union. Some distance below its top the shell 8 is formed with a cross partition 9 separating a piston chamber in the lower part of the shell from a timing chamber at the top and having a central opening forming a bearing for the stem 10 of a piston 11. The piston comprises a head 12 upon which rests a loosefitting disk 13 formed with an annular imperforate marginal portion and above the head 12 openings leaving a connected central spider slidingly engaging the piston stem. The partition 9 of the casing is formed with a series of openings 9' around the central bearing for the stem of the piston, and above the partition there is arranged a disk 14 loosely fitting upon the stem and at one side equipped with a regulating screw 15 by which any desired degree of leakage downwardly past the disk may be attained.

The upper end of the piston stem is operatively engaged by oneend of a pivoted lever 16, the other end oi such lever being arranged to be actuated by a chain or rod 16 operated by a handle pull in the usual manner.

Immediately below the cross partition. 9 ofthe casing the top oi the piston chamber therein communicates through a quarter turn pipe connection 17 with a flushing pipe 18 which forms the longer leg of the siphon for flushing the closet bowl to which it leads. It will be understood that the entire system of inter-communicating flushing devices and master tank is arranged so that when the inlet valve 3 is shut off by the float 4 the'water level in allthe tanks will 'stand just below the pipe connection 17just mentioned in each device.

A refilhng device is interposed in the flushing pipe near its lower end, such device consisting of a closed casing 19 into which the upper section of the flushing pipe 18 opens, and into which'the lower section 18 of the pipe extends upwardly to near the top, a restricted leak port 20 being formed in such lower section just above the bottom of the casing.

. The operation of the device is readily ap parent from the foregoing description. The proportions of the piston chamber and flushing pipe and the size of the openings 9 of the cross partition are such that upon forcible actuation of the operating connections the piston will discharge a volume of water into the flushing pipe suflicient to start siphonic action, and also force a considerable volume of water into the timing chamber above the partition, the disk 14 lifting to permit this action and then dropping until the regulating screw 15 contacts the partition. The reduction of pressure in the short leg of the siphon, that is, the piston chamber, draws water from the supply pipe 6 (which it will be remembered is of large capacity so as to permit an unrestricted, free flow) and as the water level in the system and therefore in the master tank falls, the float i operates to permit the water at high pressure through the large supply valve 3, with the result that the water flowing through the flushing pipe 3 is practically all supplied by direct flow through the supply valve. When the lever is released and the piston stem allowed to drop,

after siphonic action has been established,

period of siphonic action. Since the supply of water does not depend upon the refilling of individual tanks, one flushing operation can succeed another innnediately as many times as desired.

So long as the siphonic action continues the casing 19 ot' the refilling device will be filled with water and the flow will pass directly through it. Upon cessation of the flush the water remaining therein below the top of the lower section 18 of the pipe will drain gently through the leak port 20 to refill the closet bowl.

In Fig. 3 I have shown asimplified form of piston in which the relatively small'piston head 12 and loose-fitting disk 13 are replaced by a piston head 21 secured rigidly 'to'the stenrlO. In this case the parts" are so proportioned that the space around the piston will be just suificient to permit the flow of enough water to fill the dischargepipe 18, but not so large as to permit a considrable proportion of the water above the'piston-to ersed by the piston would be about twenty eight cubic inches, and deducting say four cubic inches as the amount which'would'pass below a piston properly proportioned, the piston would discharge into the flushing pipe and into the timing chamber a total volume of twenty :tour cubic inches of water, or quite suflicient to start siphonic action iaind provide for regulating the length of While the novel forms of siphonic flushing devices above described are of greatutility in connection with the organization of apparatus shown, it will bounderstood that in this general organization a different form of flushing device may be employed. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated such a modification of my invention, in which'the flushing device is supported by means of a four-way union 21 interposed in the supply'pipe 6, and includes a short stand pipe 22 rising toa point above the water level and upon which is supported by suitable brackets a pivoted operating lever 23 engaging the stem-24 of aflushing valve. 25. The closing movement of this valve is controlled bya retarding valve 26, which comprises apiston working in: a closed cylinder 27 containing a body of'oil or other suitableliquid, theapiston head 28 being provided with an upwardlyclosin'g ball check 29 and also provided with a regulating screw 30 arranged to adjustthe.

size of an orifice through the valve head, and the piston stem 31 being connected to the stem of the flushing valve.

As in the apparatus first described, the supply pipe 6 is of ample capacity to carry a direct flow of water entering the master tank through the inlet valve, and passing from the tank through said supply pipe into and through the maximum number of fiush ing pipes which are liable to be in operation at one time.

While my invention is particularly adapted for use in installations where the service pipe is under a relatively high pressure supplying a large volume of water, I may adapt it for use in situations where the pressure is not so great by employing storage or supply tanks at such intervals as are needed to guard against the contingency of a greater volume of water being required for the simultaneous flush of several closets than could be supplied through the inlet valve and master tank.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for flushing a battery of water closets comprising a service pipe supplying water at high pressure, a master tank, a fioatcontrolled inlet valve of large capacity in said tank, a series of water containers arranged to contain water at the level of the master tank, a common supply pipe of large capacity in communication with said master tank and said containers, flushing pipes for the respective closets, and flushing devices in said containers arranged when operated to initiate a flush of water which is immediately drawn directly from said inlet valve through said master tank and supply pipe.

2. Apparatus for flushing a battery of water closets comprising a service pip'e supplying water at high pressure, a master tank, a float-controlled inlet valve of large capacity in said tank, a vertical water container of small capacity in each closet arranged to contain water at the level of the master tank, a common supply pipe of large capacity in communication with said master tank and said containers, flushing pipes for the respective closets, and flushing devices including a reciprocable vertical stem in said container arranged when operated to initiate a flush of water which is immediately drawn directly from said inlet valve through said master tank and supply pipe.

3. Apparatus for flushing a battery of water closets comprising a service pipe, a master tank, a float-controlled inlet valve in said tank, a common supply pipe in communication with said master tank and extending through all the closets, a casing inclosing a piston chamber communicating with said supply pipe in each closet, said casing being arranged to contain water at the level of the master tank, a flushing pipe connected above the water level with said casing and constituting therewith a siphon, a piston in said chamber for expelling the water therein into the flushing pipe to start siphonic action, and means for interrupting the siphonic action.

4. Apparatus for flushing a battery of water closets comprising a service pipe, a master tank, a float-controlled inlet valve in said tank, a common supply pipe in communication with said master tank and extending through all the closets, a vertical cylindrical shell forming a piston chamber communicating at its bottom with said supply pipe in each closet, said chamber being arranged to contain water at the level of the master tank, a flushing pipe connected above the water level with said chamber and constituting therewith a siphon, a piston in said chamber for lifting the water therein and expelling it into the flushing pipe to start siphonic action, and means for interrupting the siphonic action.

5. Apparatus for flushing a battery of water closets comprising a service pipe, a master tank, a float-controlled inlet valve in said tank, a common supply pipe in communication with said master tank and extending through all the closets, a casing in: closing a piston chamber communicating with said supply pipe in each closet, said casing being arrangedto contain water at the level of the master tank, a flushing pipe connected above the water level with said casing and constituting therewith a siphon,

a water chamber arranged above and communicating with the top of the siphon and having check means permitting a regulated upward flow of water into the chamber and a relatively restricted downward flow therefrom, and a piston in said piston chamber for expelling the water therein partly into said chamber and partly into said flushing pipe.

6. A flushing device for flushing water closets comprising a master tank, means for maintaining a constant level therein, a vertically disposed casing formed with a perforated cross-partition dividing it into a piston chamber and a timing chamber and arranged to contain water in the piston chamher at the level of the master tank, a flushing ipe communicating with said piston cham er above the water level and constituting therewith a siphon, and a piston in said piston chamber for expelling water into the flushing pipe to start siphonic action and also expel water through the orifices in said partition into said timing chamber to temporarily seal the top of the siphon.

7. A flushing device according to claim 6 provided with means for retarding the return of water from the upper to the lower side of said cross-partition.

8. A flushing device according to claim 6 provided with a loosely fitting disk arranged ranged to containwater in thepistonchamabove the orifices in :said partition and adapted to be lifted by water passing upclosets -.comprisin gamaster tank, means for maintaining a constant level therein, a verticallydisposedcasing formed with a perforated cross-partition dividing it into a piston chamber and a timing chamber and arranged to contain water in the piston chamber at the level of the master tank, a flushing pipe communicating with said piston chamber above the water level and constituting therewith a siphon, a piston in said piston chamber-andazpiston stem connected thereto and extending upwardly through said cross-partition, and-a loosely fitting disk surrounding LSZLlCl stem above said partition and arranged to cover the orifices therethrough.

10. A flushing device according to claim 9 in which the disk is equipped .with a regulating screw for varying the return of water from above to below the partition.

11. A flushing device for flushing water closets comprising a master tank, means for maintaining a constant level therein, a verticallydisposed casing formed with a perforatedcross-partition dividing it into a piston chamber and atiming chamber and arber atthe level of the'mastertank, check means controlling the passage of water through the orifices in said partition and permittingrelatively free passage of water upwardly and a restricted return fiow, a 'fiushing pipe communicating with said piston chamber above the water level and constituting therewith a siphon, and a pistoniin said piston chamber, saidpiston comprising a stem and a relatively small headsecured thereto and a plate slidingly mounted on the stem above the head and perforated vopposite such head.

12. A- flushing device for flushing water closets comprising a master tank, means for maintaining a constant level therein, a vertically disposed casing formed with a perforated cross-partition dividing it into .a piston chamber and a timing chamber and arranged to contain water in thepiston chamber at the levelof the master tank, check means controlling ,the passage ,of water through the orifices ,in said partition and permitting relatively free passage of water upwardly and a restricted return:fiow, a

flushing vpipecommunicating with ,said piston chamber above the water level and constituting therewitha siphon, and a piston the top of the siphon and having restricted communication therewith, and means for supplylng sa d chamber vw th a charge of water to seal it fromthe air at the beginning of each flushing operation, the exhaustion of water from said. chamber acting to admit air to the top of thesiphon and interrupt the siphonic flow.

14. In a siphonic flushing device, a timing device for interrupting the siphonic action comprising a water chamber-arranged above the top of the siphon and having communication therewith through a c0nnecting orifice, a plate above said orifice permitting restricted passage of water therethrough, and means for supplying said chamber with a charge of water to seal it from the air at the beginning of each flushing operation, the exhaustion of water from said chamber acting to admit air to the top of the siphon and interrupt the siphonic flow.

15. In a-siphonic flushing device, a timing device for interrupting the siphonic action comprising a water chamber arranged above the top of the siphon and having communication therewith through a connecting orifice, a movable plate over said orifice arrangedtorpermit a relatively free movement of water from the, siphon into said water chamber and a retarded flow in the returndirection, and means for expelling water from the siphon into said chamber to seal it from the air at the beginning of each fiushingoperation, the exhaustion of water from said chamber acting to admit air to thetop of the siphon and interrupt the siphonic flow.

ROBERT A. BROOKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

